“Come Home to Howard County” returns for ninth consecutive year on April 11, 2015

3/27/2015, 6:35 a.m.

COLUMBIA, Md.  Come Home to Howard County, the largest housing fair in the state of Maryland, will open its doors for the 9th annual Howard County Housing Fair on Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilde Lake High School located at 5460 Trumpeter Road in in Columbia, Maryland. Admission is free to the community.

More than 50 real estate agents, apartment communities, mortgage lenders, housing specialists and county personnel will be on hand to offer buying, renting and Howard County living guidance to individuals and families in one-on-one meetings and group education sessions. Guided bus tours will showcase various new and existing home communities for rent and purchase in the county, for individuals and families.

Featured at the fair will be Howard County’s popular Housing Lottery, where one lucky pre-qualified applicant will win the opportunity to purchase a newly constructed Howard County home at a significantly reduced price. Interested candidates must pre-qualify for the Housing Lottery and submit all required paperwork by Wednesday, April 6 by 5 p.m. Housing Lottery applications are available online at: www.howardcountyhousing.com or www.howardcountymd.gov or at the Howard County Housing office located at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, 3rd floor in Columbia. Applicants must pre-qualify to be entered into the lottery. A complete list of pre-qualification requirements, lottery rules and details about the home is included with the application.

Additionally, the Come to Howard County Housing Fair offers over 30 educational seminars taught by industry experts. Seminar topics include information sessions for first time homebuyers, workshops on improving your credit rating and securing a mortgage, and other essentials for anyone looking to find affordable housing opportunities in the county.

“Anyone who wants to make their home in Howard County should come to the Housing Fair,” said Tom Carbo, Howard County Housing Director. “The Fair has everything a person or family might need to know about living in the county, all in one location. With children’s activities, prize drawings throughout the event and the Housing Lottery, there’s something for everyone.”

For more information about the Housing Fair and the Lottery visit: www.howardcountyhousing.com or contact the Homeownership staff at 410- 313-6318 and select option 4 from the menu.